Incontinence article in pant form

ABSTRACT

In an incontinence article in pant form, a crotch section is connected to stomach and back sections in respective overlapping regions of the crotch section and the stomach section and the crotch section and the back section, by means of multiple adhesive strips extending spaced apart from one another in a transverse direction of the incontinence article, wherein the adhesive strips occupy essentially the entire respective overlapping region, and wherein a width at least those ones of the adhesive strips transverse to their extend that are located inwardly of other ones of the adhesive strips that are located at a border side of the respective overlapping region, is 1 mm to at most 5 mm, and wherein a width of the adhesive-free strips transverse to their extent is at least 1 mm to at most 15 mm.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of German Patent Application,Serial No. 10 2012 208 393.6, filed May 18, 2012, pursuant to 35 U.S.C.119(a)-(d), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

This application claims the benefit of prior filed U.S. provisionalApplication No. 61/659,447, filed Jun. 14, 2012, pursuant to 35 U.S.C.119(e), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an incontinence article in pants form forabsorbing bodily excretions.

Incontinence articles in pants form principally differ from openable andclosable incontinence articles in conventional diaper form, in that thewaist circumference is already predetermined by the pant form, and theadjustment to different body sizes based on a number of basic sizes isachieved in that the article can be elastically stretched. For this,elastifying means, in particular the form of bands or threads, oftenalso referred to as Lycra—bands are usually connected in pre-tensionedstate (Stretch-Bond method) to chassis materials of the incontinencearticle i.e., they are fixed in a pre-tensioned state on the chassismaterials for example by means of glue. Due to their pre-tension, theseelastifying means bundle chassis materials together, thereby formingplications, which typically extend transverse to the direction in whichthe elastifying means are pre-tensioned, i.e. in this case inlongitudinal direction of the article. The incontinence article or theelastified chassis materials of the incontinence article can then beelastically stretched again when the user puts on the incontinencearticle like a pant.

For non-detachably connecting the stomach section or the back sectionwith the crotch section in the respective overlapping region, afull-surface joining, in particular gluing, or a joining over less thanthe entire surface can be selected. In known hygiene articles, oftentimes in order to join large surface regions, adhesive is applied overthe entire surface, or adhesive is applied in spiral form essentiallyover the entire surface through nozzles. There are also hygienearticles, however in which a different approach is taken; thus US2004/0116886 A1 for example teaches not to joint large surface areas ofthe respective overlapping region; This is intended to retain freedom ofshape and flexibility of the components in the overlapping, and not tobe influenced negatively by a joint.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,250,549 teaches to provide respective areas withdifferent adhesive properties in the respective front or rearoverlapping region. A waist-averted region i.e., a region facing thecenter of the crotch section and extending in transverse direction is tohave a greater mass per area of the adhesive than a region which islocated waist-side relative to this region. The regions can be coatedwith adhesive over their entire surfaces or linearly, spirally orpunctiform.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,591,810 B2 teaches to connect the crotch section and thestomach section or the crotch section and the back section only verypartially to one another.

It would therefore be desirable and advantageous to provide anincontinence article with improved connection between the threecomponents, i.e., the connection of crotch section and stomach sectionin the front overlapping region and of crotch section and back sectionin the rear overlapping region, which is optimized with regard to thespecific type of three-component incontinence article in pant form andwith regard to the here occurring stresses during use is achieved.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an incontinencearticle in pant form for absorbing bodily excretions, includes a stomachsection; a back section, spaced apart from the stomach section in alongitudinal direction of the incontinence article along a longitudinalcenter axis, wherein the stomach section and back section haverespective lateral seam regions and are joined at the respective lateralseam regions to form respective lateral seams extending in thelongitudinal direction thereby forming a stomach- and back band which iscontinuous in a transverse direction of the incontinence article, andhas a circumferentially closed waist opening; a crotch section having anabsorption body and extending in the longitudinal direction between thestomach section and the back section, wherein the crotch sectionoverlaps with the stomach section and the back section in respectiveoverlapping regions and is non-detachably connected to the stomachsection and to the back section in the respective overlapping regions,wherein the stomach section, back section and crotch section togetherdelimit leg openings of the incontinence article, wherein the stomachand back section has respective crotch-side regions facing the legopenings; first elastifying means extending in spaced apart and parallelrelationship to one another in the transverse direction in the stomachsection and back section, thereby two-dimensionally elastifying thestomach section and the back section; and second elastifying meansextending in the respective crotch-side regions of the stomach and backsections, from the respective lateral seam regions towards thelongitudinal center axis into the respective overlapping regions in anarched course with increasing distance to one another, wherein thecrotch section is none-detachably connected to the stomach section andto the back section with plural adhesive strips provided in therespective overlapping regions, wherein the plural adhesive stripsextend in parallel relationship to one another in the transversedirection of the incontinence article and are separated from each otherby adhesive-free strips, wherein the adhesive strips occupy essentiallythe entire respective overlapping regions, and wherein a width at leastof those ones of the adhesive strips, that are located inwardly of otherones of the adhesive strips that are located at a border side of therespective overlapping region, is transverse to their extend 1 mm to atmost 5 mm, and wherein a width of the adhesive-free strips transverse totheir extent is at least 1 mm to at most 15 mm.

According to the invention it was discovered that in case of such a nondetachable joining of the components, the amount of the adhesivematerials required therefore can be reduced compared to an applicationof adhesive over the entire surface or a spiral shaped application ofadhesive without resulting in disadvantages. It was further found thatwhen using multiple adhesive strips that extend in transverse direction,the forces that typically occur during use of the hygiene article Ilongitudinal direction, which forces are introduced in the overlappingregion or are transmitted via the overlapping region from the crotchsection into the stomach section or into the back section, can belikewise well absorbed when the multiple adhesive strips essentiallyextend over the entire extent of the respective overlapping region. Thisdoes not mean however, that the adhesive strictly has to extend up tothe respective geometric border of the overlapping region; rather, it ispreferred, that the adhesive retains a defined distance to the geometricborder of the overlapping region in the range of one or a fewmillimeters, in order to avoid that the adhesive leaks from theoverlapping region and contaminates the manufacturing device or becomesvisible on the finished product. It is further advantageous, that themultiple adhesive strips extend in the transverse direction i.e.,especially with regard to the fact that forces of the soaked absorptionbody due to gravity typically act in the longitudinal direction i.e.,transverse to the extent of the adhesive strips. These forces, due tothe transverse extent of the adhesive strips, can even be transmittedbetter and more evenly across the respective overlapping region into thewaist-circumferential direction of the stomach section and to the backsection or respectively, be absorbed by the stomach section and the backsection. This also leads to a minor contracting or bundling up of theoverlapping region in transverse direction, i.e., it results to a minordegree in interfering pleatings which then would extend in longitudinaldirection. According to the invention, it was found that applyingadhesive in a manner according to the invention enables to counteract anexcessive pleat formation or tufting which is facilitated or tends to becaused by the first elastifying means and as the case may be the secondelastifying means.

It was further found that applying adhesive according to the inventionin form of multiple adhesive strips that extend in transverse directionin conjunction with the mostly nonwoven-based or nonwoven-containingmaterials or composite materials of the stomach section and the backsection and as the case may be also of the crotch section, is suited toform a visually and/or tactilely perceivable structure on the outervisible side of the overlapping region which structure harmonizes withor corresponds to the optically and/or tactilely perceivable course ofthe elastifying means in the respective overlapping region. In this way,the course of the elastifying means in the overlapping region, wherethese elastifying means are often deactivated, can be concealed suchthat they can no longer be distinguished from the adhesive structureresulting form the adhesive, which is esthetically pleasing.

The multiple adhesive strips, which extend essentially over the entirerespective overlapping region, are typically applied by a so-calledcontact application, preferably by using template techniques. For this,adhesive application devices known per se can be used, for example theTrueCoat™ system of the company Nordson Deutschland from Erkrath,Germany. The TrueCoat™ system is a slot nozzle surface applicationdevice, wherein the slot nozzle application heads are configurable andthus enable a continuous or intermittent application of adhesive. Theapplication of the adhesive by using a sheet metal with strip-shapedrecesses is also possible. Advantageously, the adhesive is applied inmachine direction of the material tracks that form the stomach sectionand the back section, i.e., with adhesive strips extending in machinedirection, so that the multiple adhesive strips—as mentioned multipletimes—extend in the finished product essentially transverse to thelongitudinal direction, i.e., in transverse- or waist-circumferentialdirection.

It is further advantageous when the adhesive is applied in the machinedirection in a pulsed manner, i.e., glue is actually only applied in thealready mentioned overlapping regions between crotch section and stomachsection or between crotch section and back section.

It is further advantageous, when the width of adhesive strips transverseto their extent is at least 1 mm to at most 5 mm, in particular at most4 mm and further in particular at most 3 mm and preferably 2 mm.

The width of the adhesive-free strips transverse to their extent isadvantageously at least 1 mm to at most 15 mm, in particular to at most10 mm, in particular two at most 5 mm and further in particular to atmost 3 mm.

As mentioned before, it is conceivable that in the respectiveoverlapping region, i.e., the rear and/or the front overlapping region,a wider adhesive strip can be provided border-side. This means, that ina border region of the overlapping region, which in longitudinaldirection is waist-side, and/or in a border region of the overlappingregion which in longitudinal direction faces away from the waist a wideradhesive strip, which extends in transverse direction can be provided.This waist-side border region or waist-averted border region of theoverlapping region covers respectively at the most 20%, in particular atmost 18%, in particular at most 15%, in particular at most 12%, inparticular at most 10%, of the longitudinal extent of the respectivefront or rear overlapping region. The multiple narrow adhesive strips,which extend in transverse direction, are then provided between theseborder regions. The width of the mentioned border-side adhesive stripstransverse to their extent is at least 5 mm, in particular at least 8mm, in particular at least 12 mm, particular at most 20 mm, inparticular at most 16 mm, in particular at most 14 mm. in case, a wideradhesive strip is provided in the overlapping region on only one border,it is advantageous when this wider adhesive strip is provided at thewaist distal border region of the overlapping region, in order toachieve a stable joining at this location which prevents tearing-in.

It is particularly advantageous when the ratio between the width ofadhesive strips and the width of immediately neighboring adhesive-freestrips is 0.2-3.0, in particular 0.2-2.0, in particular 0.2 to 1.5, inparticular 0.2-1.0, in particular 0.4-0.8, in particular 0.5-0.7. Thus,a finely and evenly distributed sucession of adhesive strips andadhesive-free strips is advantageously provided, which enables and evendistribution in the joining region and associated therewith a joiningstability in the overlapping region and at the same time evendistribution of a possible stiffening due to the adhesive strips.

Also with regard to a possible even and/or tactilely recognizableconfiguration or structuring as a result of the multiple adhesivestrips, it is advantageous when at least those adhesive strips which arelocated inwardly relative to optional border-side adhesive strips, i.e.,in longitudinal direction between border-side adhesive strips, have thesame width.

It is further advantageous when the width of the respectiveadhesive-free strips is the same.

Regardless of the specific configuration or arrangement of the multipleadhesive strips, it is advantageous when the entire surface of theadhesive strips relative to the surface of the overlapping region of thecrotch section and the stomach section or of crotch section and backsection is 35-60%, in particular 40-55% and further in particular40-50%.

It is further advantageous, when the mass per area of the adhesivecoating in the adhesive strips is 2-20 g/m², in particular 2-15 g/m², inparticular 2-10 g/m², in particular 5-10 g/m², wherein the mass per areain all adhesive strips is preferably the same.

In order to achieve an even transmission of forces resulting from theliquid which was absorbed during use of the hygiene article by theabsorption body, into the stomach—and back band which is formed by thestomach section and the back section and is continuous in transverse- orwaist-circumferential direction, it is advantageous when the surface ofthe overlapping region of the crotch section and back section is atleast 12%, in particular 15-40%, in particular 15-35%, in particular15-30%, in particular 20-30%, in particular 22-30% of the surface of thestomach section. It is further advantageous that the surface of theoverlapping region of the crotch section and back section is at least20%, in particular 20-45%, in particular 20-40%, in particular 22-40%,in particular 25-40%, in particular 28-40% of the surface of the backsection.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention theoverlapping region of crotch section and stomach section and/or in theoverlapping region of crotch section and back section 2 outer,border-side adhesive strips, i.e., a waist distal and a waist proximalborder-side adhesive strip and in longitudinal direction between these,multiple inwardly located adhesive strips are provided, wherein thewidth of the border-side adhesive strips is greater than the width ofthe inwardly located adhesive strips, and is in particular at least fourtimes, in particular at least five times, and further in particular atmost eight times, in particular at most seven times the width of theinwardly located adhesive strips. It is also conceivable, that on arespective waist-side or waist-averted border region of the respectiveoverlapping region, multiple wider border-side adhesive strips areprovided, so long as the border region does not exceed the previouslyexplained dimensions in the longitudinal direction.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention, at least 8,in particular at least 10 adhesive strips are provided in theoverlapping region of stomach section and crotch section, and in theoverlapping region of the back section and crotch section, at least 15,in particular at least 18 and further in particular at least 20 adhesivestrips are provided.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the firstand/or the second elastifying means in the overlapping region of crotchsection and stomach section and in the overlapping region of crotchsection and back section extend parallel to the adhesive strips.Typically, the elastifying means are introduced so that they extendendlessly in transverse- or waist-circumferential direction i.e., in themachine direction of the flat material tracks of the future stomachsection and back section. Thus, they extend at least initiallycontinuously over the entire transverse extent of the incontinencearticle. In this way, the elastifying means typically traverse theabsorption body underneath in the respective front or rear overlappingregion of the crotch section and the stomach section or of cross-sectionand back section so that the absorption body of the crotch section comesto lie above the elastifying means. In this case, it is particularlyexpedient when the elastifying means no longer have their eastifyingeffect, at least where they traverse the absorption body underneath; forthis purpose, they can be cut, in particular multiple times, in thisregion along their transverse extent or can be de-elastified by othermeans for example by ultrasound. Nevertheless, the course of theoriginally introduced elastifying means as well as the elastifying meanswhich have been deactivated or de-elastified in the respectiveoverlapping region, can be recognized from outside the incontinencearticle. A particular advantage of the invention is that this can beconcealed by providing multiple narrow adhesive strips as mentionedbefore.

The previously mentioned arch-shaped fanning-out can preferably beconfigured so that a distance of the second elastifying means to eachother in a respective lateral seam region is 3 two 8 mm, and furtherinwardly in the direction towards the longitudinal center axis in theregion of a border of the absorption body is between about 7 and 35 mm,in particular between 12 and 30 mm. Advantageously, the secondelastifying means extend in the overlapping region at least in theregion of the longitudinal center axis in transverse direction andpreferably also parallel to one another.

This fanning-out of the second elastifying means can also bequantitatively described in more detail. For example, the secondelastifying means of the back section shown in FIG. 1 have a minimaldistance of 3 to 8 mm to each other (distance between immediatelyneighboring elastifying means) and at a border of an absorption body ora longitudinal border of the crotch section have a maximal distance toone another (distance between immediately neighboring elastifying means)of 7 to 35 mm. A degree F. of the fanning-out can be defined as follows:F=(A−B)/B*100%.

This fanning-out degree advantageously is between 50 and 900%, inparticular between 100 and 700%, and further in particular between 150to 550%. Advantageously, it is greater in the back section than in thestomach section. The variables A and B are defined as the distance ofthe in longitudinal direction outermost second elastifying means to thein longitudinal direction innermost second elastifying means (i.e., notthe distance between immediately neighboring elastifying means), i.e. Aas the maximal distance, in particular at the longitudinal border of thecrotch section, and B as the minimal distance, in particular in thelateral seam region.

Preferably, thread-shaped or band-shaped elastifying means such asrubber threads, polyetherpolyurethane threads or polyesterolyurethanethreads, preferably elastic threads such as Lycra®—or Spandex® threadsare used as first and/or second elastifying means. The first elastifyingmeans preferably have a thread length of 40-1500 dtex, in particular500-1400 dtex, in particular 800-1400 dtex, in particular 1000-1400dtex, further in particular 1100-1400 dtex. The second elastifying meanspreferably have a thread Strength of 500-1000 dtex, in particular of600-1000 dtex, further in particular 700-900 dtex.

The thread strength of the elastifying means is expressed in the unitdtex (1 dtex=1 g/10,000 m). The thread strength is determined accordingto the testing guidelines BISFA, the International Bureau for theStandardization of man-made Fibres, Test methods for bare elastaneyarns, edition 1998, chapter 5: “Determination of linear density”. Thethread strength or linear density is determined by determining the massof a test specimen having a known thread length of 1,000 mm (cut under astandard pre-tension of 0.1+/−0.01 mN/dtex) after a conditioning understandard conditions (23° C.+/−2° C., 50%+/−5% relative humidity) in therelaxed state.

The thread strength (in dtex) is calculated from the quotient of themass (in g) divided by the length of the section (in m) multiplied bythe factor 10,000.

For this, five sections of the thread-shaped or band-shaped elastifyingmeans having a length of 1,300 mm are cut off from the role or packageunder a tension that is as small as possible, namely in uneven distancesof at least 2 m. These five sections are relaxed so as to betension-less and are let rest under standard conditions for at leastfour hours. Then, a test specimen of 1,000 mm+/−1 mm is cut off from therespective 1,300 mm long section, while the section is maintained undera pretension of 0.1 mN/dtex. The cut off test specimens of 1,000 mmlength are weighed to an accuracy of +/−1% of their expected mass. Foreach testing specimen, its thread strength is obtained by multiplyingthe respective mass with the factor 10,000 in dtex. From the fivetesting specimen, the arithmetic mean value is calculated which is usedas thread strength for the purposes discussed here.

The first and/or second elastifying means are preferably fixed on thechassis forming sheath materials of the stomach section and the backsection (Stretch-Bond-Method) under a pre-tension of 2.5-6.0. Thepre-tension is defined as the degree of stretching of a stretchedelastifying means relative to the unstretched/relaxed original state ofthe elastifying means in the state of the application and fixing of theelastifying means in the manufacturing machine. The degree of stretchingis thus calculated as the ratio of the stretched length L′ (=initiallength L+ΔL) to the initial length L, i.e., L′/L. The first elastifyingmeans are preferably fixed under a pre-tension of 4.0-6.0, in particularof 4.5-5.5, wherein their pre-tension is preferably greater then thepre-tension of the second elastifying means. The second elastifyingmeans are preferably fixed under a pre-tension of preferably 2.5-5.0, inparticular of 3.0-4.5.

The first and second elastifying means can be fixed on the chassisforming sheath materials of the stomach section and back section indifferent ways. Elastifying means that extend parallel to the transverseor waist-circumferential direction, such as for example the firstelastifing means, are preferably fixed single-strand adhesiveapplication. Single-strand adhesive application means that the topsideof the individual elastifying means is first covered with adhesive andis then supplied to the lamination between two chassis material layers.A further possibility to fix elastifying means is to embed theelastifing means in a glue bed between two chassis material layers,wherein at least one layer has regions, which are provided with adhesiveover their entire surface. In particular, fixing in a glue bed is usedfor elastifying means which change directions along their course, suchas for example the second elastifying means, which fan out arch-shapedalong their extent in the direction toward the longitudinal center axisof the incontinence article and extend at increasing distance to oneanother.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the secondelastifying means can be fixed in a glue bed between chassis materiallayers. In this case, a laminate results in which the layers areconnected over their entire surfaces. Sufficient stretching of thislaminate results in a single, even flat material track which can then bejoined joined woth further components without the formation of undefinedpleatings as is the case when individual strands are provided withadhesive where bordering chassis material layers are only connectedalong the strands that are provided with adhesive. Fixing of the secondelastifying means in a glue bed is therefore especially advantageouswhen joining the crotch section with the stomach section or the backsection.

It is further advantageous, when the first elastifying means in thestomach section and/or in the back section are fixed between the chassismaterial layers by single-strand glue application. In the region of thefirst elastifying means a greater flexibility of the chassis materiallayers is desired, because no further laminate is formed at thislocation.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the firstelastifying means in the stomach section and/or in the back section canbe fixed between a body-averted chassis material layer and a body-facingchassis material layer by single-strand adhesive application and thebody-facing chassis material protrudes over or overlaps the associatedlongitudinal end of the crotch section on the body-facing side of thecrotch section. Because the body-facing chassis material layer istypically made of a soft nonwoven material, a soft, skin friendlytransition to the crotch section can be achieved in longitudinaldirection.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the crotchsection includes a liquid-impermeable backsheet-material and a nonwoventopsheet-material, between which the absorption body is arranged. Thebacksheet-material and the nonwoven topsheet-material in a manner ofspeaking form the chassis of the crotch section. In a refinement of theinvention, it is advantageous when the backsheet material and/ortopsheet material form an overhang over the absorption body and thisoverhang—in total on both sides of the absorption body, i.e., in totalleft and right—is at least 25%, in particular 30-50%, further inparticular 35-50%, further in particular 38-48%, further in particular40-45%, of the greatest width of the crotch-section (i.e., relative tothe maximal extent of the crotch section in transverse direction).

This relatively great overhang of back-sheet material and/or top sheetmaterial on both sides of the absorption body thus means a wide crotchsection with a relatively narrow absorption body. This allows providingleg-elastifying means in the crotch section, which extend along the legopenings, and have a relatively great distance to the material rich andwith this bending stiff absorption body. This in turn results in a goodsealing and adjustability of the borders of the leg openings on bothsides of the crotch section. In this case, the material rich absorptionbody, which is torsion stiff relative to the thin chassis materials,only interferes with the formation of a liquid-tight leg sealing to aminor degree; forming a liquid-tight leg sealing does therefore notrequire extremely high tensions which in turn has a positive influenceon the wearing comfort of the incontinence article.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention, theleg-elastifying means end in longitudinal direction at least 10 mm, inparticular at least 20 mm, before the second elastifying means. It isparticularly advantageous when the leg-elastifying means end is locatedin a direction before the stomach section and/or before the backsection. The tension and return force exerted by the leg-elastifyingmeans does therefore not influence the tension conditions providedaccording to the invention within the crotch-side region of the stomachsection and the back section, which crotch-side region faces the legopenings, in which second elastifying means fan out.

Preferably, thread- or band-shaped elastifying means, such as rubber- orpolyurethane or polyesterpolyurethane threads are used asleg-elastifying means, preferably elastic threads such as Lycra® threadsor Spandex® threads. The leg-elastifying means preferably have a tensilestrength of 300-1500 dtex, in particular of 500-1200 dtex, further inparticular of 500-900 dtex.

The leg-elastifying means are preferably fixed on the chassis-formingsheath materials of the crotch section under a pre-tension of 1.5-6.0 inparticular 2.5-4.5.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention, thechassis-forming materials of the stomach section and/or back sectionpreferably can include nonwoven materials such as spunbonds, card websor through air bonded card webs. Particularly preferably, the chassisforming material of stomach section and/or back section includes aspunbond material. The nonwoven materials that are used for the stomachsection and/or back section Preferably have a mass per area of 10-30g/m², further preferably of 15-25 g/m². Particularly preferably thestomach section and the back section include a spunbond, in particularmade of polypropylene, in particular with a mass per area of 15-25 g/m².Due to their flexibility, low masses per area of the chassis formingmaterials of stomach section and/or back section, in particularincluding or being made of nonwoven materials, enable particularlyadvantageously the formation of the visually and/or tactilelyperceivable structures according to the invention.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the crotchsection can include a liquid-impermeable backsheet-material and anonwoven topsheet material. The backsheet material in particularincludes a foil, in particular with a mass per area of 8-20 g/m², inparticular 8-16 g/m², further in particular 8-14 g/m². In particular,the backsheet includes a foil which in particular is micro-porous andduring use liquid tight but at the same time breathable, i.e. watervapor permeable.

The absorption body includes materials that absorb bodily fluids such asnatural or synthetic fibers, in particular cellulose fibers, preferablyin the form of cellulose. Preferably, the absorption body also includessuperabsorbent materials (SAP), in particular based onsurface-cross-linked, partially neutralized polyacrylates.

The crotch section or the longitudinal borders of the crotch section,which delimit the leg openings, can be configured to have a straight orarched contour. The crotch-facing transverse borders of stomach sectionand back section, which also delimit the leg openings, areadvantageously configured to have an arched contour.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be morereadily apparent upon reading the following description of currentlypreferred exemplified embodiments of the invention with reference to theaccompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a top view onto an incontinence article according to theinvention, wherein a stomach section, a back section and a crotchsection of the incontinence article are not yet joined for forming apant form but are shown in a spread out and evenly stretched out state;

FIGS. 2 a, b show schematic sectional views of the crotch section in theregion of the transverse centerline or in the overlapping region ofcrotch section and back section;

FIG. 3 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 1, illustrating thefixing of the crotch section with the stomach section and the backsection by means of adhesive strips;

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged representation of a section in the region ofthe overlapping region of crotch section and stomach section orcrotch-section and back section of the incontinence article according toFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of the relevant individualcomponents of the chassis materials along the longitudinal center axisof the incontinence article;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of the incontinence article in its finalconfiguration.

FIG. 7 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 1 illustratingdimensions;

FIG. 8 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 1, illustrating theconstruction of the absorption body and the folding axes;

FIG. 9 shows a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the absorptionbody taken along the longitudinal center axis;

FIGS. 10 a,b,c show three schematic views of the incontinence article,illustrating the folding; and

FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of the folded incontinence article,illustrating sampling during determination of the thickness.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Throughout all the Figures, same or corresponding elements are generallyindicated by same reference numerals. These depicted embodiments are tobe understood as illustrative of the invention and not as limiting inany way. It should also be understood that the drawings are notnecessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes illustratedby graphic symbols, phantom lines, diagrammatic representations andfragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessaryfor an understanding of the present invention or which render otherdetails difficult to perceive may have been omitted.

The Figures show an incontinence article in pant form, overalldesignated with the reference numeral 2, for absorbing solid and liquidbodily excretions. The incontinence article 2 is composed of threecomponents which can essentially be manufactured independently i.e., afront stomach section 4, a rear back section 6, and a crotch section 8which has an absorption body 7 and is located between the stomachsection 4 and the back section 6, wherein the crotch section 8 extendsin a longitudinal direction 9 of the incontinence article 2 and overlapswith a substantial surface portion of the stomach section 4 on one hand,and of the back section 6 on the other hand, and is non-detachablyconnected by the manufacturer in the overlapping region in a manner tobe described in more detail below. As can be seen from FIG. 1, thisleads to an H-shaped basic structure of the incontinence article. Forforming the pant form, the interconnected components shown in FIG. 1 arethen connected to one another at respective lateral longitudinal bordersections 10, 12 of the stomach section 4 and the back section 6, also bythe manufacturer, by conventional joining methods, thereby forminglateral seam regions 14 on both sides. In this pant form of theincontinence article, which is manufactured by the manufacturer, thestomach section 4 and the back section 6 extend in a transverse- orwaist-circumferential direction 16 continuously and thus define withtheir waist border 17 a waist opening 18 which is closed inwaist-circumferential direction; further, together with the crotchsection 8 they delimit leg openings 19, through which the user can puton the incontinence article like a pant.

The stomach section 4 can be divided into a waist-side region 20 andinto a crotch-side region 22, which faces the leg openings 19. The backsection 6 can be divided correspondingly i.e., also in a waist-sideregion 24 and a crotch-side region, which faces the leg openings 19.

In the waist-side region 20 of the stomach section 4 and in thewaist-side region 24 of the back section 6, first elastifying means 28,29 are provided, which may be Lycra-threads, and which are connectedwith the flat materials (chassis materials) of the stomach section 4 andthe back section 6 in the so-called stretch-bond-method. These firstelastifying means 28, 29 extend in transverse- or waist-circumferentialdirection 16 from one lateral seam region 14 to the other.

The respective crotch-side sections 22 and 26 of the stomach section 4or of the back section 6 which face the leg openings 19 each have aborder contour 32 or 34 which deviates from the transverse- orwaist-circumferential direction 16 and which extends towards atransverse center axis 30 of the crotch section 8. This border contour32, 34 is also arch-shaped in the representation according to FIG. 1 andtherefore suited for delimiting the leg openings 19.

Through this extent of the crotch-side region 22 or 26 which faces theleg openings, a relatively great overlapping region 36, 38 between thecrotch section 8 and the stomach section 4 or back section 6 isrealized, which is important with regard to a tear-resistant connectionof crotch section 8 and stomach section 4.

The respective crotch-side region 22, 26 of the stomach section 4 or theback section 6 which crotch-side region 22, 26 faces the leg openings19, is also configured elastified and is provided with secondelastifying means 40 or 42. The second elastifying means 40, 42 extend,in each case starting from the lateral seam regions 14, in the directiontowards a longitudinal center axis 44 of the incontinence article. Ascan be seen from FIG. 1, the second elastifying means 40, 42 fan out inthe direction towards the longitudinal center axis 44, i.e., withincreasing distance to one another in the direction towards thelongitudinal center axis 44. The second elastifying means 40, 42 passunderneath the crotch section 8. In the region below the absorption body7, they may be deactivated i.e. they may not posses their elastifyingeffect.

As can be seen from FIGS. 2 a, b, the crotch section 8 includes aliquid-impermeable backsheet material 62, which can in particular beformed by a breathable, but liquid-tight foil material and a preferablynonwoven-based topsheet material 64. The absorption body 7 (only shownschematically) is arranged between the backsheet material and thetopsheet material. In the exemplary shown case, the backsheet material62 forms an overhang 66 over the absorption body 7 in transversedirection 16. The topsheet 64 protrudes over the absorption body 7 intransverse direction 16 only to a relatively small degree and an uprightbarrier means 68 is provided on both sides of the absorption body 7. Thebarrier means 68 extends in a longitudinal direction 9, and is typicallyreferred to as upright cuff element and is preferably made of ahydrophobic, in particular liquid-impermeable nonwoven material whichextends in transverse direction 16 as far as to lateral longitudinalborders 69 of the crotch section 8. The distal ends 70 of the barriermeans 68 are provided with further elastifying means 72 which raise thebarrier means 68 during use of the incontinence article relative to theskin surface of the user. The lateral barrier means 68 are fastened onthe topsheet 64 or onto themselves in a C-shape-folded configuration viaschematically indicated fixations 76, 77. Outside of the absorption body7 i.e., in the region of the protrusion 66, leg-elastifying means 78 areprovided, which preferably extend at a defined distance to thematerial-rich and with this rather bending stiff absorption body 7, inorder on one hand, to prevent exerting additional stretching ordistortion forces on the absorption body, which might negativelyinfluence the absorption properties of the absorption body and on theother hand to realize a liquid-tight leg sealing, which to the mostdegree is not influenced by the absorption body. These leg-elastifyingmeans 78 end in longitudinal direction 9 at a significant distance of inparticular 10 mm, preferably at least 20 mm before the secondelastifying means 40 and 42 of the stomach section 4 or the back section6. Preferably, these leg-elastifying means 78 end in longitudinaldirection 8 before the stomach section 4 and the back section 6.

In the following, the fixing of the crotch section 8 in the frontoverlapping region 36 with the stomach section 4 and in the rearoverlapping region 38 with the back section 6 is described. As can beseen in FIGS. 3 and 4, for this purpose, adhesive is not applied to theentire surface, but multiple adhesive strips 80 are provided in theoverlapping region and extend in transverse direction 16 and parallel toone another and are spaced apart by adhesive-free strips 82. Theadhesive strips 80 occupy or overlap essentially the entire respectiveoverlapping region 36, 38. In the exemplary shown, however, not strictlyrequired case, broader adhesive strips 88 and 90 are provided in aborder region 84 and a border region 86 of the respective overlappingregion 36, 38, which border region 84 is located waist-side inlongitudinal direction and which border region 86 faces away from thewaist in longitudinal direction. The respective border-side i.e.,waist-facing and waist-distal adhesive strips 88, 90 have a greaterwidth than the multitude of adhesive strips 80 which are locatedinwardly and between the adhesive strips 88, 90. In an exemplaryembodiment, the width of the border-side adhesive strips 88, 90transverse to their extent is 14 mm, the width of the inwardly locatedadhesive strips 80 is 2 mm and the width of the adhesive-free strips 82is 3 mm. In the exemplary and preferred shown case, the inwardly locatedadhesive strips 80 preferably all have the same width and the distancesbetween them i.e., the width of the adhesive free strips 82 arepreferably also the same. Nevertheless, the same explanations set forthin the beginning apply with regard to the dimensions and the conditionsdescribed there, as well as with regard to the mass per area of theadhesive coating of the adhesive strips. The surface of the front andrear overlapping region 36, 38 relative to the surface of the stomachsection 4 or the back section 6 also lies within the previouslyexplained preferred ranges.

It can further be seen from FIG. 3 in conjunction with FIG. 1 that thesecond elastifying means 40, 42 in the respective overlapping region 36,38 extend parallel to the adhesive strips 80. In the exemplary showncase, some of the first elastifying means 28 also extend in the frontand rear overlapping region 36, 38 (however on the body-facing side ofthe crotch section). The second elastifying means 40, 42 were alsointroduced so as to be continuous in the transverse direction 16; theyare de-elastified in the respective overlapping region 36, 38 by theaforementioned measures. Even though the second elastifying means remainvisible also in the de-elastified state—as explained above, they areconcealed by the multitude of adhesive strips 80, thereby reducing theirvisibility.

In the preferred shown case, the second elastifying means are fixed in aglue bed 92 between chassis material layers 92 and 96 or 95 and 97 (c.f.FIG. 5). The glue bed 92 is applied on one of the chassis materiallayers 94, 96 or 95, 97. Then, the second elastifying means 40, 42 areplaced on or introduced preferably in an endless manner and covered andlaminated by the further chassis material layer. In this way, the secondelastifying means 40, 42 are fixed and the chassis material layers 94and 96 or 95 and 97 are joined to each other over their entire surfaces.The body-averted chassis material layer 94, 95 is a breathable fibernonwoven material, which corresponds to the extent of the stomachsection 4 or back section 6. The chassis material layer 96, 97 is aninwardly located fiber nonwoven material which is recessed relative tothe chassis material layer 94, 95. In the preferred shown case, it endsin longitudinal direction 9 before the longitudinal end 98, 99 of thecrotch section 8.

In the exemplary and preferred shown case, the first elastifying means28, 29 are fixed between the body averted chassis material layer 94 or95 and a further body-facing chassis material layer 100, 101 bysingle-strand application of adhesive. The further chassis materiallayer 100, 101 is again formed by a nonwoven material. The body-avertedand the body-facing chassis material layers are exclusivelyinterconnected by the first elastifying means 28, 29 to which adhesivehas been individually applied i.e., only along the extent of these firstelastifying means 28, 29. The skin friendly nonwoven materials aretherefore not fixed to one another over their entire surfaces, but candetached from one another and, in particular as a result of theelastifing effect, can form pleatings and cuffs. In the preferred showncase, the body-facing chassis material layer 100, 101 extends in thestomach section 4 as well as in the back section 6 over the respectivelongitudinal end 98, 99 of the crotch section 8 on its body facing-side.It thus overlaps this material transition and in this way prevents anunevenness that leads to skin irritation.

Further, it can be seen in FIG. 5 that the backsheet 62 of the crotchsection 8 has a coating 102 on its body-averted side. This coating 102is a fiber nonwoven coating of the substantially liquid-impermeablebacksheet 62. The coating 102 extends in longitudinal direction 9,however, not over the entire longitudinal extent of the backsheet 62 butinstead ends relatively short within the front and rear overlappingregion 36, 38. Outside of the overlapping region, the coating 102 isprovided over the entire extent of the body-averted side of the backsheet 62. The coating 102 is preferably composed of a nonwoven material,in particular of a spunbond material, in particular of polypropylene, inparticular with a mass per area of 10-20 g/m², in particular of 12-17g/m².

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of an incontinence article according tothe invention in the finished configured state in which the stomachsection 4 and the back section 6 are joined to one another, forminglateral seam regions 14. Only schematically shown are pleatings or cuffs104 formed as a result of the contracting effect of the first and secondelastifying means 28, 29, 40, 42, resulting from the fixing of theelastifying means in the pre-tensioned state on the chassis materials(stretch bond method). As a result of the multitude of relatively fineadhesive strips 80 in the respective overlapping region 36, 38 of crotchsection 8 and stomach section 4 or back section 6, a visually and/ortactilely perceivable structure 106 is formed in the outer visible sideof the incontinence article in the respective overlapping region 36, 38which is here only shown as outline. According to the invention, it wasfound that the adhesive applied in strip-shape enters into thethree-dimensional porous and also breathable configured fiber nonwovenmaterials, which are typically used as chassis materials, and leads tosuch an optical and/or tactilely perceivable structure 106, which can beadvantageous as mentioned before. In addition, the connection of thecrotch section 8 and stomach section 4 or back section 6 by themultitude of relatively narrow adhesive strips 80 leads to a verycost-effective use of adhesive while at the same time neverthelessproviding the required holding forces for securely joining the threecomponents to one another.

FIG. 7 explains the measurements, dimensions and ratios of theincontinence article according to the invention. It can be seen that theposition of the transverse center axis 30 divides the overall length ofthe incontinence article in half in the flatly spread out state(according to FIG. 1). The transverse center axis 30 also forms a firstfolding axis 16 which extends in transverse direction 16, and aboutwhich the components are folded inside the manufacturing machine inorder to arrange the longitudinal border sections 10, 12 of the stomachsection 4 and back section 6 on top of one another for fixing andforming lateral seam regions 14 on both sides. Typically, this occurs byguiding endless, flat materials, which form the respective stomachsection 4 and back section 6 i.e., even before the separation of thearticles. The length L1 between the transverse center axis 30 and therespective border of the waist 17 can be seen. Further, the extent L2 ofthe respective lateral seam or the lateral seam region 14 inlongitudinal direction 9 can be seen, which also corresponds to thelength of the respective longitudinal border section 10 at 12. Accordingto the invention, the ratio L2/L1 is at least 0.42.

Further, the distance L4 of the outermost waist-facing first elastifyingmeans 28, 29 in longitudinal direction 9 to the innermost crotch-facingfirst elastifying means 28, 29 can be seen. According to the invention,the ratio L4/L1 is at most 0.3.

It can further be seen, that the first elastifying means 28, 29 have adistance d1 to one another, which is at least 20% greater than thedistance of the second elastifying means 40, 42 to one another definedin the lateral seam region 14. In the preferred shown case, the firstelastifying means 28, 29 all have the same distance d1 to one another,which is at least 10 mm, in particular 10 to 15 mm. The ratio d1/L4 ispreferably 0.08 to 0.25.

Further, L3 can be seen as the extent of the stomach section 4 and backsection 6 in longitudinal direction 9, which for the stomach section 4is in particular 135-260 mm and for the back section 6 in particular200-320 mm.

Further shown is the extent Q of the stomach section 4 or the backsection 6 in transverse direction 16, which enters into ratios L2/Q orL4/Q.

The first elastifying means 28, 29 have a thread strength, which is atleast 20% greater than the thread strength of the second elastifyingmeans 40, 42. In addition, the first elastifying means 28, 29 are fixedwith a pre-tension with the chassis material layers in the stomachsection 4 and in the back section 6, which pretension is 10% greaterthan that of the second elastifying means.

Reference is made to the further preferred afore described measurements,dimensions and ratios.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the construction of the absorption body 7 in a topview and in a sectional view along the longitudinal center axis 44.Starting from its body-averted side, the absorption body 7 includes abasic layer 120 made of cellulosic fiber material with an exemplary massper area of 176 g/m². Depending on the exact two-dimensional extent, thebasic layer contains 10 to 14 g of cellulosic fiber material.

On the basic layer 120, a absorption body layer 122 is placed, which isthree-dimensionally shaped at least with regard to the mass per area ofabsorption body material. In a center region 124, the absorption bodylayer 122 has a higher mass per area of absorption body material then infront and rear regions 126, 127, in longitudinal direction 9. In theexemplary shown case, the mass per area of cellulosic fiber material inthe front and rear region 126, 127 of the absorption body layer 122 is162 g/m² and in the center region 124 329 g/m². In addition, theabsorption body layer 122 includes overall about 7 g of superabsorbentpolymer materials, which are homogeneously, evenly distributed in theabsorption body layer 122. The regions 126, 127 and 124 are offsetbackward in longitudinal direction 9 relative to the two-dimensionalextent of the basic layer 120 as can be seen from FIG. 8.

Finally, the absorption body 7 includes a body-facing liquid-absorptionand distribution layer 128, which in the exemplary and preferred showncase has an hour class-shape, and predominantly extends on the centerregion 124 of the absorption body layer 122. The liquid-absorption anddistribution layer 128 protrudes over a stomach-section-sidelongitudinal end 130 of the center region 124 of the absorption bodylayer 122. It includes a mass per area of fiber material i.e., in theform of intra-cross-linked cellulose fibers (curled fiber) of forexample 149 g/m² with an overall mass corresponding to the exemplaryextent of about 2.8 g.

The basic layer 120, the three regions 124, 126 and 127 of theabsorption body layer 122 and the body-facing liquid absorption- anddistribution layer 128 have a uniform mass per area of absorption bodymaterials across their two-dimensional extent.

The mass per area is measured as described above by analyzing a testspecimen of 25 mm×25 mm, which is punched out through all previouslydescribed layers of the absorption body 7. The area 132 (25 mm×25 mm) tobe punched out is always centered relative to the longitudinal centeraxis 44, as indicated in FIG. 8. When the mass per area in longitudinaldirection 9 is determined more frontward or more rearward, the testspecimen is accordingly centered relative to the longitudinal centeraxis 44.

It can be seen that the mass per area of absorption body material thusdecreases stepwise in the direction toward a stomach-section-side end134 and in the direction toward a back-section-side end 136 of theabsorption body 7. In this way, plateaus 138 are formed between thesteps. In the region of these plateaus 138, the mass per area ofabsorption body material of the layers of the absorption body 7 lyingthere underneath is preferably but not necessarily, constant.

In the shown preferred embodiment of the incontinence article, the massper area of the absorption body 7, starting from the transverse centeraxis 30 anteriorly and posteriorly in the region of the overlap of thebody-facing liquid absorption—and distribution layer 128 with the centerregion 124 of the absorption body layer 122, is essentially constant.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, plateaus 140, 141 can be seen which adjoin a step 142,143 anteriorly or posteriorly in the longitudinal direction 9. In theregion of these plateaus 140, 141, the mass per area of the absorptionbody 7 is significantly reduced relative to the mass per area in theregion of the transverse center axis 30.

In the following, the folding of the incontinence article in pant formfor the stacked arrangement of multiple incontinence articles in apackaging for distribution is described by way of the FIGS. 8, 10 and11: as already mentioned, the transverse center axis 30 forms a firstfolding axis 150, about which the incontinence article is folded, sothat the stomach section 4 and back section 6 can be permanently joinedtogether for forming lateral seam regions 14 i.e., by conventionaljoining methods, such as gluing, ultrasound etc. Further, second foldinglines 152 which approximately extend in longitudinal direction 9 areonly outlined in FIG. 8, because the folding does not occur in thestretched out state shown in FIG. 8, but after finishing the pant-shapedincontinence article in the only schematically shown state in FIG. 10 a.Starting from this outlined state shown in FIG. 10 a, regions 154 of thestomach section 4 and back section 6 which laterally extend over thecrotch section 8 on both sides, are folded in the direction towards thelongitudinal center axis 44, preferably onto the outsides of the stomachsection 4, so that the configuration outlined in FIG. 10 b is obtained.

FIGS. 8 and 10 show a third folding axis 156, which extends intransverse direction 16, and whose position relative to the absorptionbody 7 can be seen from FIG. 8. Further folding about this only furtherfolding axis 156, which extends in transverse direction 16, results inthe compactly folded configuration of the pant-shaped incontinencearticle shown in FIG. 10 c. It can be seen that the border of thestomach and back band 17, which delimits the waist opening 18, does notprotrude in longitudinal direction 9 over the outer folding edge 158 ofthe incontinence article, which folding edge 158 is formed by the firstfolding axis 150.

FIG. 11 illustrates at which sites the thickness of the incontinencearticle 2, which is folded into the configuration of FIG. 10 c, isdetermined. As already mentioned, the entire such folded incontinencearticle 2 is punched out over the entire transverse direction 16 with apunching knife at a distance of about 10 mm to the folding edges orfolding axes 150 and 156, thereby forming strip-shaped test specimens160. Based on these test specimens 160, which include all layers of theincontinence article, the thickness is then determined as describedabove.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in connectionwith currently preferred embodiments shown and described in detail, itis not intended to be limited to the details shown since variousmodifications and structural changes may be made without departing inany way from the spirit of the present invention. The embodiments werechosen and described in order to best explain the principles of theinvention and practical application to thereby enable a person skilledin the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments withvarious modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims and includes equivalents of theelements recited therein:

What is claimed is:
 1. An incontinence article in pant form forabsorbing bodily excretions, comprising: a stomach section; a backsection, spaced apart from the stomach section in a longitudinaldirection of the incontinence article along a longitudinal center axis,said stomach section and back section having respective lateral seamregions and being joined at the respective lateral seam regions to formrespective lateral seams extending in the longitudinal direction therebyforming a stomach and back band which is continuous in a transversedirection of the incontinence article, and has a circumferentiallyclosed waist opening; a crotch section having an absorption body andextending in the longitudinal direction between the stomach section andthe back section, said crotch section overlapping with the stomachsection and the back section in respective overlapping regions and beingnon-detachably connected to the stomach section and to the back sectionin the respective overlapping regions, said stomach section, backsection and crotch section together delimiting leg openings of theincontinence article, said stomach and back section having respectivecrotch-side regions facing the leg openings; first elastifying meansextending in spaced apart and parallel relationship to one another inthe transverse direction in the stomach section and back section,thereby two-dimensionally elastifying the stomach section and the backsection; and second elastifying means extending in the respectivecrotch-side regions of the stomach and back sections, from therespective lateral seam regions towards the longitudinal center axisinto the respective overlapping regions of the crotch section and backsection and of the crotch section and stomach section in an archedcourse with increasing distance to one another, wherein the crotchsection is non-detachably connected to the stomach section and to theback section with plural adhesive strips provided in the respectiveoverlapping regions, said plural adhesive strips extending in parallelrelationship to one another in the transverse direction of theincontinence article and are separated from each other by adhesive-freestrips, wherein the adhesive strips occupy essentially the entirerespective overlapping region, and wherein a width of at least thoseones of the adhesive strips that are located inwardly of other ones ofthe adhesive strips that are located at a border side of the respectiveoverlapping region, is transverse to their extent 1 mm to at most 5 mm,and wherein a width of the adhesive-free strips transverse to theirextent is at least 1 mm to at most 15 mm, wherein respective wider onesof the adhesive strips are respectively provided in a waist-proximalborder region and/or a waist-distal border region of the respectiveoverlapping regions, said waist-proximal region and said waist-distalborder region occupying at most of an extent of the respectiveoverlapping regions in the longitudinal direction.
 2. The incontinencearticle of claim 1, wherein the width of the inwardly located adhesivestrips is at least 1 mm to at most 4 mm.
 3. The incontinence article ofclaim 1, wherein the width of the adhesive free strips is at least 1 mmto at most 10 mm.
 4. The incontinence article of claim 1, wherein awidth of the other adhesive strips transverse to their extent is atleast 5 mm.
 5. The incontinence article of claim 1, wherein a ratiobetween a width of the adhesive strips to a width of immediatelyneighboring ones of the adhesive-free strips is 0.2-3.0.
 6. Theincontinence article of claim 1, wherein a width at least of those ofthe adhesive strips that are positioned inwardly relative to optionallyprovided border-side adhesive strips are of a same size.
 7. Theincontinence article of claim 1, wherein the adhesive-free strips aredefined by a same width.
 8. The incontinence article of claim 1, whereina total surface of the adhesive strips is 35%-60% of a surface of one ofthe respective overlapping regions.
 9. The incontinence article of claim1, wherein a mass per area of a glue coating in the adhesive strips is2-20 g/m2, and wherein the mass per area in all adhesive strips ispreferably the same.
 10. The incontinence article of claim 1, wherein asurface of the overlapping region of crotch section and stomach sectionis at least 12% of a surface of the stomach section.
 11. Theincontinence article of claim 1, wherein a surface of the overlappingregion of crotch section and back section is at least 20% of a surfaceof the back section.
 12. The incontinence article of claim 1, wherein inthe overlapping region of stomach section and crotch section at least 8adhesive strips are provided, and in the overlapping region of backsection and crotch section at least 15 adhesive strips are provided. 13.The incontinence article of claim 1, wherein the first and/or secondelastifying means extend parallel to one another in the respectiveoverlapping regions.
 14. The incontinence article of claim 1, furthercomprising chassis material layers, wherein the second elastifying meansare fixed in a glue bed between the chassis material layers and/or thefirst elastifyuing means are fixed between the chassis material layersby single-strand adhesive application.
 15. An incontinence article inpant form for absorbing bodily excretions, comprising: a stomachsection; a back section, spaced apart from the stomach section in alongitudinal direction of the incontinence article along a longitudinalcenter axis, said stomach section and back section having respectivelateral seam regions and being joined at the respective lateral seamregions to form respective lateral seams extending in the longitudinaldirection thereby forming a stomach- and back band which is continuousin a transverse direction of the incontinence article, and has acircumferentially closed waist opening; a crotch section having anabsorption body and extending in the longitudinal direction between thestomach section and the back section, said crotch section overlappingwith the stomach section and the back section in respective overlappingregions and being non-detachably connected to the stomach section and tothe back section in the respective overlapping regions, said stomachsection, back section and crotch section together delimiting legopenings of the incontinence article, said stomach and back sectionhaving respective crotch-side regions facing the leg openings; firstelastifying means extending in spaced apart and parallel relationship toone another in the transverse direction in the stomach section and backsection, thereby two-dimensionally elastifying the stomach section andthe back section; and second elastifying means extending in therespective crotch-side regions of the stomach and back sections, fromthe respective lateral seam regions towards the longitudinal center axisinto the respective overlapping regions of the crotch section and backsection and of the crotch section and stomach section in an archedcourse with increasing distance to one another, wherein the crotchsection is non-detachably connected to the stomach section and to theback section with plural adhesive strips provided in the respectiveoverlapping regions, said plural adhesive strips extending in parallelrelationship to one another in the transverse direction of theincontinence article and are separated from each other by adhesive-freestrips, wherein the adhesive strips occupy essentially the entirerespective overlapping region, and wherein a width of at least thoseones of the adhesive strips that are located inwardly of other ones ofthe adhesive strips that are located at a border side of the respectiveoverlapping region, is transverse to their extent 1 mm to at most 5 mm,and wherein a width of the adhesive-free strips transverse to theirextent is at least 1 mm to at most 15 mm, wherein in one or both of therespective overlapping regions two outer border-side adhesive strips areprovided, and in longitudinal direction between the two outerborder-side adhesive strips, plural inwardly located adhesive strips areprovided, wherein a width of the border-side adhesive strips is greaterthan the width of the inwardly located adhesive strips.
 16. Theincontinence article of claim 1, further comprising a body-facingchassis material layer and a body-averted chassis material layer,wherein the first elastifying means are fixed in the stomach and/or inthe back section between the body-facing chassis material layer and thebody-averted chassis material layer by single-strand adhesiveapplication, and wherein the body-facing chassis material layerprotrudes over or overlaps an associated longitudinal.
 17. Theincontinence article of claim 15, wherein a width at least of those ofthe adhesive strips that are positioned inwardly relative to optionallyprovided border-side adhesive strips are of a same size.
 18. Theincontinence article of claim 15, wherein the adhesive-free strips aredefined by a same width.
 19. The incontinence article of claim 15,wherein a total surface of the adhesive strips is 35%-60% of a surfaceof one of the respective overlapping regions.
 20. The incontinencearticle of claim 15, wherein in the overlapping region of stomachsection and crotch section at least 8 adhesive strips are provided andin the overlapping region of back section and crotch section at least 15adhesive strips are provided.